According to the tutorials - specifically, the customizing weapons tutorial - I can use console to add a weapon by typing "player.EquipItem ObjectID 1" but I get an objectID not recognized error. Using the FormID works, but that is more of a pain. Am I doing something wrong or is the tutorial just wrong?

only formID works in console

so if the tutorial says objectID thats a typo

You haven't specifically said, so apologies if you already do this, but i find the easiest way, is to name your item with a unique name. So for example my spell mod ends with the name Exquisite. To find the ID i need, i bring up the console and type

help "exquisite"

since exquisite is not used in any of the original ID's, the console just lists the 2 spells along with their relevant ID's